Lick Creek and Green Ridge Fire Update July 31, 2021 9 a.m.

 Lick Creek and Green Ridge Fire Updates – July 31, 2021 – 8:00 a.m.

There is a Red Flag Weather Warning in effect this afternoon and evening for thunderstorms. Heavy rain and gusty/erratic winds possible with thunderstorms.

Lick Creek Fire: A Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team will continue working on the Lick Creek Fire. This assessment will be used for long-range forecasting and preparation of the areas at greatest risk for runoff and flooding. This fire remains at 90% contained. Continued smoke will be visible as unburned pockets of vegetation inside the fire area are consumed. Crews will continue to mop up pockets of heat interior and patrol the perimeter until full containment is achieved.

Green Ridge Fire Current Situation: The local region experienced unstable weather conditions yesterday, but only isolated areas of fire experienced growth. Portions of the fire where most of the activity occurred are northeast of the Meadow Creek Trailhead and north of West Butte and Oregon Butte. Air and ground resources are being used to minimize potential for additional fire spread, constructing direct containment lines where safe to do so. Every effort is being made to protect the many values at risk in and around the fire area, and secondary control lines are also being established by improvement of existing roads, trails, and natural terrain features.

Additional resources are on order, however due to several active wildfires burning in the western US, they are limited and expected to arrive as they become available. We continue to request the resources needed to fulfil the plan to achieve full containment and control.

Weather and Smoke Information: A change in the weather pattern has begun due to a Pacific low-pressure system moving closer towards the coast. Unstable weather conditions will persist, bringing thunderstorms that may produce strong outflow winds and heavy downpours. Smokey conditions will continue throughout most of the region. Information is available on the Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Evacuations: On July 29th, a Level II evacuation notice was issued in Columbia County for the following areas: South of the previous Level I evacuation within Columbia County. This notice extends east to the forest boundary including Bald Butte Mountain and south down to the Columbia County/Wallowa County state border. It extends west to the forest boundary and north to Chase Mountain. From Chase Mountain it will extend to Middle Point Trail Head through to Midway Campground. Additionally, a Level I evacuation notice remains in effect for the following areas: Everything north and west of Chase Mountain and Midway Camp within the forest boundary. If you have any questions, please contact the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The Level 1 evacuation remains in place for Garfield County. If you have any questions, please contact the Garfield County Emergency Management Director, Tina Meier, or Sheriff Drew Hyer at (509)843-3494.

Closures: All Forest Service lands, roads, and trails within the Umatilla National Forest are closed. For more information visit the Umatilla National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd931174.pdf.